Inscriptions & Markings

portable pulpit or lectern

A blackwood timber pulpit with folding side panels, designed to be portable. Simple carving on centre front panel, and a lectern stand for Bible or other book.

Historical information

The lectern is said to have been used by John Flynn ('Flynn of the Inland' - 1880 - 1951) when he was stationed in the Beech Forest - Lavers Hill area prior to his being ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church. Flynn arrived in Beech Forest in 1903 as a home missionary, and for around two years he conducted services in homes, camps and public halls in the Otways.
In 1912 Flynn established the Australian Inland Mission, setting up hospitals and hostels across inland Australia, and inspiring the Royal Flying Doctor Service

Significance

This item was purported to have been used by Reverend John Flynn for services in various locations during his time in the Otways area prior to his more well know work in inland Australia.

Historical information

James Robbins was born on 9 February, 1869. He married Martha Owen (nee Burch) on 9 October, 1889, in Adelaide, South Australia. After having two children by her first marriage James and Martha went on to have seven children of their own, all except one surviving. James settled in Beech Forest in 1887, travelling to and from Tatura for two years before finally settling in Beech Forest. He had a number of jobs including Director of the Beech Forest Butter Factory, farmer, bullock wagon driver, and butcher. He died in Colac. James' predecessors and his successors are spelt out.

Family History - McKenzie

Historical information

Hector McKenzie and Abigail (nee McLean), his wife, lived at Ullapool on the shores of Lochbroom in the far north-west of Scotland. They were married on 8 March, 1821, and had several children. Three of the children, Murdoch and his two sisters, Isabella and Lexcy, emigrated to Australia from Liverpool on the ship "Hornet" on 29 July, 1854, along with 434 other assisted passengers. They arrived at Geelong on 23 October, 1854. Later, Murdoch married a like-named Margaret McKenzie on 23 May, 1861, and had eight children. At the time as the children were thinking about branching out on their own the Otway forest was surveyed and opened for selection. In 1890/91 Murdoch, a son, Duncan, and a daughter, Abigail, selected blocks at Weeaproinah.

Historical information

James Robbins and Mary Jane Ellery were married on 23 April, 1829, in Stoke Lane, St Michael, Somerset, and had six children. James died aged 51 on 7 December, 1845. Mary married again to John Boyce less than twelve months later, and they had a further three children. John and Mary Boyce (Robbins nee Ellery) came to Port Adelaide, South Australia, on the "Flora Kerr" on the 4 March, 1855, with eight of their nine children. Hannah Robbins stayed in England, probably married. On the same ship another daughter, Ann Robbins, came out with her husband, John Treasure, who had already been to Australia searching for gold. From these unions, several generations of children were recorded, the book exploring their lives.

Historical information

William Evans, being born in Anglesea, Wales, in 1829, migrated to Australia in 1857. He was appointed Assistant Lighthouse Keeper at Cape Otway Lighthouse in 1858, and married Catherine Carmody on the 14 May,1860. William and Catherine spent 22 years at Cape Otway. From this union, until August 1998, eight generations of children were recorded. The book explores the lives of these children.

Historical information

Photograph - Beech Forest Railway Station, 1903

Otway Districts Historical Society, Beech Forest

Photograph, B/W, 174mm x 267mm. Beech Forest Railway Station, 1903.

Historical information

In 1903, before the extension to Crowes, Beech Forest Railway Station was the terminus, already 3 roads wide with Station building, outshed, Goods Shed, and three small departmental residences. An NQR wagon near the Goods Shed is loading timber while a further NQR wagon sits outside the station building.

Photograph - Crowes: G41 derailed at "Black Stump", 1942

Photograph - Gellibrand Ballast Siding, c.1902

Otway Districts Historical Society, Beech Forest

Photograph; B/W. Gellibrand Ballast Loading Site

Historical information

In 1902 a ballast siding was opened 4km south of Gellibrand to provide materials for track construction. A spur siding, with points facing Beech Forest and a capacity for six trucks, was cut into the side of a slope. Above this was erected a loading bin and chute. The stone proved to be of durable quality so the siding continued in commission after 1902 for track re-ballasting work. By the mid-1920s Victorian Railways found it more economic to use ballast from Penshurst, so the siding was closed by 1925 and the rails lifted.